Conservation takes many forms and MDF Magazine is critical to sharing the work that we do.

 

 

MDF Magazine is a quarterly publication, and exclusive to Mule Deer Foundation members. Packed full of high quality stories and striking photography of the work that we are doing on the ground, in a perfect bound, glossy top-scale paper perfect for reading in the wall tent, or the waiting room. We are excited to celebrate the content between the covers, with an aesthetically pleasing and easily readable layout.

 

MDF Magazine continues to deliver stories from the hunt, as well as in the field highlighting conservation challenges and projects. Cuisine, state-by-state updates on the work happening across the range, mule deer and black-tailed deer biology and more!


 

 

The magazine features some of the best hunting stories, tips, and tactics from our friends Jana Waller of Skullbound Chronicles, Mark Kayser, Jason Matzinger, Identical Draw and more!

Celebration of the success of our members, is a fan favorites section, and is featured in each and every issue! This is our favorite section to put together, as we get to share in your stories.


With an increased page count and reduction in ads, MDF Members can enjoy a magazine that delivers the MDF mission, facilitates our mission, and showcases those supporters committed to what we do.

 

Spend a little time in the West chasing mule deer, watching mule deer, or just hearing about mule deer, and you start to understand something that goes beyond antlers and tags. Mule deer aren’t just a species; they’re a symbol of the west in a way that no other species can be. Mule deer are the pulse of the Western landscape, the living connection between the rugged terrain and the heritage. Protecting mule deer isn’t just about numbers; it’s about a way of life, a culture, and an identity that stretches back centuries.
Why Mule Deer Are Conservation’s Icon

Spend a little time in the West chasing mule deer, watching mule deer, or just hearing about mule deer, and you start to understand something that goes beyond antlers and tags. Mule deer aren’t just a species; they’re a symbol of the west in a way that no other species can be. Mule deer are the pulse of the Western landscape, the living connection between the rugged terrain and the heritage. Protecting mule deer isn’t just about numbers; it’s about a way of life, a culture, and an identity that stretches back centuries.

As the year comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on the policy victories that have truly moved the needle for mule deer conservation. Thanks to hunters, landowners, state agencies, and conservation partners working together, 2025 brought several meaningful wins. Here’s a breakdown of what changed, and what it means for you as a hunter and steward.
Policy Wins for Mule Deer: What You Should Know as a Hunter

As the year comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on the policy victories that have truly moved the needle for mule deer conservation. Thanks to hunters, landowners, state agencies, and conservation partners working together, 2025 brought several meaningful wins. Here’s a breakdown of what changed, and what it means for you as a hunter and steward.

A friend of mine and I are considering a Canadian mule deer hunt in 2026. Maybe 2027. While in the planning process I thought I would do some research on what the Canadian mule deer population looks like and what steps are being taken to improve it. By the time I was done I had the makings of a nice little blog post that I thought some of you may be interested in so please if you are considering a cross-border mule deer hunt anytime in the near future keep reading. If hunting mule deer in Canada has never crossed her mind please used anyway because knowledge is power.
A Cross-Border Challenge: Canada’s Mule Deer

A friend of mine and I are considering a Canadian mule deer hunt in 2026. Maybe 2027. While in the planning process I thought I would do some research on what the Canadian mule deer population looks like and what steps are being taken to improve it. By the time I was done I had the makings of a nice little blog post that I thought some of you may be interested in so please if you are considering a cross-border mule deer hunt anytime in the near future keep reading. If hunting mule deer in Canada has never crossed her mind please used anyway because knowledge is power.

Mule deer are far more than a symbol of the American West, they are a cornerstone of rural economies, a source of cultural identity, and a driver of outdoor recreation that keeps communities vibrant. Whether it’s non-resident hunters fueling small-town businesses in November or families pulling off scenic highways to photograph bucks in velvet, the presence of mule deer creates ripple effects that reach far beyond the sagebrush.
The Economic & Cultural Value of Mule Deer

Mule deer are far more than a symbol of the American West, they are a cornerstone of rural economies, a source of cultural identity, and a driver of outdoor recreation that keeps communities vibrant. Whether it’s non-resident hunters fueling small-town businesses in November or families pulling off scenic highways to photograph bucks in velvet, the presence of mule deer creates ripple effects that reach far beyond the sagebrush.

Late-season mule deer hunting offers a unique blend of challenge and opportunity. As November fades into December and winter settles over the West, hunters face both the beauty and the brutality of cold-weather conditions. Snow, wind, and freezing temperatures make access difficult, but they also reveal the habits and patterns of mule deer in ways that earlier seasons cannot. Understanding the dual role of weather is key to a successful late-season hunt.
Late-Season Mule Deer Hunts: Weather as Ally and an Enemy

Late-season mule deer hunting offers a unique blend of challenge and opportunity. As November fades into December and winter settles over the West, hunters face both the beauty and the brutality of cold-weather conditions. Snow, wind, and freezing temperatures make access difficult, but they also reveal the habits and patterns of mule deer in ways that earlier seasons cannot. Understanding the dual role of weather is key to a successful late-season hunt.

The winter of 2022–23 will be remembered across the West as one of the harshest in recent memory. In Wyoming, Idaho, and parts of northern Utah, relentless snow and bitter cold combined to create a perfect storm of survival challenges for mule deer. Tens of thousands of deer perished, including entire fawn crops and mature bucks that entered the season in good shape but simply couldn’t endure months of deep snow and subzero temperatures.
Lessons from the Winter of 2022–23: Rebuilding Mule Deer Herds After Catastrophe

The winter of 2022–23 will be remembered across the West as one of the harshest in recent memory. In Wyoming, Idaho, and parts of northern Utah, relentless snow and bitter cold combined to create a perfect storm of survival challenges for mule deer. Tens of thousands of deer perished, including entire fawn crops and mature bucks that entered the season in good shape but simply couldn’t endure months of deep snow and subzero temperatures.

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These are just a few stories from previous issues, but you must be a member to receive the full contents of this powerful publication!

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